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Wellness Hub would divert those in crisis from courts, motels and ER
Plan would change how Columbia County helps those facing mental health or substance use crises
April 28, 2023Updated: April 28, 2023 9:24 a.m.
GREENPORT — For the past two years, elected officials, police, social workers and mental health professionals in Columbia County have been meeting to hash out a plan that could change the way homelessness, drug addiction and mental illness are treated in the area.
hey are focused on plans to build The Wellness Hub, which backers say would address persistent problems faced by the city of Hudson and the wider county while genuinely helping those going through crises, as well as taking pressure off local police and the emergency room and saving the county money.
The plan is the direct outgrowth of a 2021 report commissioned by Hudson Mayor Kamal Johnson to reform the criminal justice system in the wake of calls for racial and social justice after George Floyd’s 2020 murder by police in Minnesota. Johnson was seeking reforms “intended to reduce policing of people in a mental health or substance use disorder-related crisis,” according to the study, called the Sequential Intercept Model Report.
The hub would serve county residents in crisis by offering a range of resources, including a “safe haven”-style shelter, therapy, peer counseling and social services, steering them away from the court system and the emergency room. Residents could walk into the hub, located a little more than a mile from downtown Hudson in the town of Greenport, or be taken there by police after being picked up for petty crimes.
The major point of the hub is “to reduce arrests,” according to Mayor Johnson.
Johnson said the hub would be a “one-stop shop” for residents seeking services — some of which are currently scattered around the county, some of which do not exist at all.
Homeless in a rural county
Like many rural areas Upstate, Columbia County has homeless people, but no homeless shelter.
Instead, families and individuals without housing are put up in privately owned motels.
The “motel system” is far from ideal, according to Cheryl Roberts, the executive director of the Greenburger Center for Social & Criminal Justice, a major force in developing the hub.
Of the seven privately owned motels used to house people late last December (the last period with immediately available data from the county Department of Social Services), none were actually in Hudson, the epicenter of homelessness in the county. The least proximate motel was in Latham, nearly an hour’s drive from the city. One motel was on the side of I-90, with a gas station and a truck stop the only places to get food within miles. Another, in Claverack, had no food options for miles.
Not only are there no places to get food within walking distance — most of the people housed in the motels do not have cars — but these individuals are also isolated from social connections and from the county services they need to get by, Roberts said.
Homeless people often also have substance use disorders and struggle with mental illness, and Roberts said the motels can cause them to “decompensate,” or psychologically unravel because the circumstances of the motel system “would drive anyone insane.”
The motels are also not the nicest. One, the Joslen Motor Lodge in Greenport, has been the site of various criminal episodes since 2010, including incidents where people were slashed with knives, threatened with guns, and badly beaten. In 2016, a man was charged with concealing a human corpse after dumping the body of Halle Schmidt in a forest after she overdosed on heroin during a drug-fueled party at the motel.
The seven motels and a “civic motel” operated by a nonprofit housed 103 homeless people — including 25 children — on any given night last December, according to data from the county Department of Social Services.
“I think that everyone at this point is well aware that this is not the answer, this is not the solution, and we need something else, we need a plan B,” Roberts said.
A “safe haven” shelter at the Wellness Hub would be far better for people experiencing homelessness or related problems, according to county Department of Social Services Commissioner Bob Gibson.
“You’re in a facility where you have oversight, where you can get assistance right away — our workers are close to you, and we contract with nonprofits to staff the shelter — so we provide wrap-around services, and if (the shelter) is on a campus where it’s one part of a Wellness Hub, most of the human services and social services you’re going to are contained within the campus,” he said.
The hub would also arguably save Columbia County money. Transporting people to out-of-the-way motels to house them at market rates is not cheap. Gibson said a motel room generally costs between $95 and $105 a night.
According to an analysis by Gibson in the 2021 mapping report, four high utilizers of the system cost the county a total of about $120,000 in motel costs, as well as $5,600 in transportation costs, annually.
“High utilizers”
Diverting residents with substance use disorders and mental health problems from the criminal justice system is the original point of the Wellness Hub. Among other things, this would reduce the amount of resources police expend on these issues, according to Mayor Johnson.
“We’re spending so much money on policing, as well as on motel rooms and different efforts, and a lot of it is not working,” Johnson said.
Congressman Marc Molinaro, a Republican whose district includes Columbia County, gave the Wellness Hub a major boost when he requested $5 million in federal funding for the project from the annual appropriations bill. Funding will be decided next fall.
Molinaro requested the funds “because I believe it is the model that America has to replicate to confront the mental health crisis (facing) people in this country,” he said in an interview Tuesday.
When Molinaro was Dutchess County executive, he oversaw the creation of a similar hub, the Dutchess County Crisis Stabilization Center, which focuses on “crisis intervention and trauma-informed care,” Molinaro said.
During its first year, emergency rooms and police diverted people from the county jail to the stabilization thousands of times, according to Molinaro, “many of (whom) dealt with mental health issues and substance abuse disorders,” leading to a decrease in the jail’s population.
In February 2017, the month before the stabilization center opened, the Dutchess County Jail held an average of 409 people daily, according to the Dutchess County Criminal Justice Center. Two years later (and before bail reform was enacted), the jail had a daily average of 353 people, a decrease of about 14 percent.
The stabilization center is only the hub of a larger mental health care system in Dutchess County, Molinaro said. He noted that for Columbia County’s hub to work, police, paramedics, dispatchers and others would need to be trained in dealing with mental health crises.
The 2021 mapping report had a large focus on “high utilizers” of systems in the county: individuals, often who have mental health problems, substance abuse disorders, or both, who cycle in and out of the motel system, jail, and Columbia Memorial Health, the county’s hospital.
Hudson Police Chief Ed Moore said his officers receive about 8-10 calls for emotionally disturbed people a month in the city of 5,900, usually about the same few individuals.
Though that may not sound like a huge number, a single call can stress many resources, as police must spend time dealing with the person, who is then often taken by ambulance to Columbia Memorial Health, taking up the time of paramedics and emergency room staff, according to Moore.
The hospital’s ER does about 30 mental health evaluations a week, according to CMH spokesman Bill Van Slyke, though not all of those are people in crisis. There are also about 250 visits to Columbia Memorial Health a year related to drugs, but for non-medical reasons, “such as the person who has become homeless or is in crisis related to the impact of substance use.”
“The Wellness Hub could provide a non-medical alternative to many of these social determinants patients who have no viable alternative to the emergency department,” Slyke added.
About a half-dozen high utilizers in Hudson, many of whom hang out at the Seventh Street Park, have been arrested for petty crimes more than 100 times, according to Moore, which doesn’t include the hundreds of times police are called on their account and an arrest is not made.
Moore, who is a member of the group developing the Wellness Hub, said bail reform had exacerbated this problem since police have to immediately release the petty offenders, “and the whole process begins anew,” he said.
Moore said he was supportive of the Wellness Hub, but added it wasn’t the complete answer.
ReEntry Columbia
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ReEntry Columbia
52 Green Street (First Reformed Church), Hudson, New York 12534, United States
Office Phone: 518-828-1604 Jeffrey Fineout: 518-929-9405 jeffrey.reentry@gmail.com Bertram Downes: 518-567-1320 bert.reentry@gmail.com
Hours: Monday through Thursday 9:30 am to 4 pm : By appointment
Our vision is to create a community that fosters desistance by helping people enmeshed in the criminal justice system to form healthier relationships, advance educational and vocational goals, nurture independence, and participate positively in the civic and cultural life of their communities.
Our mission is to help our clients successfully rejoin their community by guiding and supporting them throughout the transition process. ReEntry Columbia provides referrals and services for men and women released from incarceration to Columbia County, New York.
Our goals are to: reduce recidivism; increase public safety; help clients become independent productive citizens; and decrease county expenses associated with unaddressed needs of returning citizens.
HELPING THOSE IN NEED AFTER INCARCERATION. 501C3 NONPROFIT
Laurie is an original member of the ReEntry Columbia board and came on as director in 2016. Retired from both Dutchess Community College as a prison program coordinator and the NYSDOCCS as a correctional counselor, she worked at DFY Harlem Valley, and Green Haven, Fishkill, and Sullivan prisons.
She has a BS in Criminal Justice from Pace University and a lifetime interest in reclaiming potential. Laurie is also a CASAC with experience in outpatient and residential drug treatment. She is certified as a facilitator in a number of programs and has volunteered with Alternatives to Violence Project since the 1990’s.
HISTORY
ReEntry Columbia opened our doors on April 15, 2013 in the basement of the First Presbyterian Church in Hudson. Lynn Rothenberg and Carolyn Polikarpus cofounded the agency with a grant from the Columbia County Board of Supervisors. We moved to our current offices in the First Reformed Church at 52 Green St in Hudson in November 2013. Our initial efforts to provide support and referrals for those with criminal justice involvement in Columbia County has grown to include classes and programs in Columbia County Jail and Columbia County Probation. The bi-monthly Task Force Meetings have grown to encompass numerous agencies and organizations in the county and beyond.
Our current staff is Laurie Scott, Executive Director and Carolyn Polikarpus, Case Manager.
ReEntry Columbia: 52 Green Street (First Reformed Church) Hudson, New York 12534
Email: info.reentry@gmail.com
Phone: 518-828-1604 Fax: 518-252-0125
Hours: Monday through Thursday 9:30 am to 4 pm : By appointment non profit organization
Columbia/Greene Addiction Coalition
Pathways to Recovery
http://pathwaystorecovery.org/wp/2017/05/07/905/
Columbia County Mental Health Center
https://www.columbiacountymhc.com/lgu2.html
NAMI of Columbia County, New York
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Home / Resources / Employment Resources for People Recovering From Substance Abuse Issues
Employment Resources for People Recovering From Substance Abuse Issues
Last Updated: August 11, 2023
Table of Contents
- Job Search Tips For People in Recovery
- Resume Building Tips for People in Recovery
- Interview Preparation for People in Recovery
- What Are You Legally Required to Disclose to Employers?
- Maintain Your Support Network During Recovery
- Resources for Recovering Job Seekers
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In the U.S., over 19 million Americans suffer from substance abuse issues. The road to recovery is long, filled with lifelong trials and tribulations—yet many people encounter one major challenge: reentering the workforce after achieving sobriety. And a lack of employment and career prospects is a leading cause of relapse.
Although reentering the workforce after treatment can be difficult, your past does not dictate your future. With perseverance and diligence, you have every opportunity to build a career that brings you fulfillment. Throughout this guide, we’ll provide you with valuable insights and resources to drive your job search forward.
Job Search Tips For People in Recovery
Job seekers in recovery face several unique challenges that can impact employment prospects and career advancement. If substance abuse issues affected your performance in previous roles, you might lack references to help with the job search. You may also encounter unconscious biases from hiring managers if your struggles with addiction are revealed during a background check.
Despite these obstacles, achieving your long-term career goals with careful planning and diligence is more than possible. Taking the time to develop the right job search strategy will significantly improve the strength of your application and maximize your chances of landing the interview. Below, you’ll find expert tips for a successful job hunt as you recover:
Identify your career goals
The first step in the job search process is taking time to self-reflect. Were you happy in your previous position? Did the stress of your job contribute to substance abuse issues? Can you see yourself working in this field five years from now? If the answer is no, you may want to chart a new career path as you reenter the workforce.
For many individuals, unhappiness with their employment prospects and stress from a poor work-life balance were contributing factors to reliance on drugs and alcohol in the first place. Although transitioning to a new field is rarely easy, it can be worth the time investment if it means finding a job you’re genuinely passionate about.
One path you can take is to continue your education. Going back to school full-time may not be an option for everyone, as you’ll likely need to find employment immediately to meet your current financial needs and obligations. That said, investing in your education can positively impact your future career prospects, and a vast array of online programs are available that you can balance effectively with your schedule.
If you were happy in your previous career, you could take steps to find a position in your current field. Prior connections within your industry can help you find openings, and you could also consider obtaining additional certifications to bolster your skill sets and enhance the strength of your application. This will also show prospective employers that you’re passionate about further developing your industry expertise and could help alleviate concerns related to an employment gap.
Utilize your network and connections
As you reenter the workforce, you’ll want to leverage your connections, professional network, and support groups to identify potential job opportunities. If you still have contacts within your industry from previous jobs, you’ll want to connect with them first to find opportunities matching your current skill sets.
You can also seek guidance from sponsors and connections you’ve made in your support groups. These individuals understand your challenges and can provide valuable insights to help you reenter the workforce. You may find that a connection you’ve made during recovery may have a contact in your field. Your support network may also be able to guide you in obtaining coaching from a career service professional or finding job fair events. Although it’s never easy to ask for help, remember that recovery is a complex process and a burden that no one needs to shoulder alone.
Manage your expectations
It’s important to manage your expectations and avoid becoming discouraged as you begin the application process. Finding the ideal position takes time, especially when recovering from addiction, and you’ll need to remain patient to find the ideal position for your long-term goals. If you receive rejection after an interview, use it as a learning experience to improve. There are many reasons hiring managers may choose to select another candidate for a position, and you don’t want to allow a rejection to impact your confidence or optimism during the job search.
Resume Building Tips for People in Recovery
Once you’ve identified your career path, you’ll need to create a compelling resume to generate interview opportunities during the job search. Even if you have a gap in your employment history, you can still make a positive impression on the hiring manager by featuring a compelling overview of your career accomplishments and prominent skill sets. As you craft your content, you’ll want to tailor your document toward individual job applications carefully.
Take the time to evaluate the organization’s needs and draw attention to aspects of your industry experience that align with the company’s goals. For more guidance, we have numerous resume examples across all professions and industries to help you build your document.
- Craft an accomplishment-driven resume that highlights the most relevant achievements from your previous employment with an emphasis on metrics, numbers, and end-results
- Create an eye-catching professional profile that draws attention to prominent skill sets and industry expertise that organizations are looking for
- Provide accurate employment dates but avoid providing a direct explanation for gaps, as you want to keep the reader’s focus on the positive aspects of your career experience
- Tailor your resume towards individual job descriptions and Applicant Tracking Systems by incorporating specific key terms that match the position requirements
Addressing employment gaps on the resume
If you have a significant gap in your timeline, it’s likely to draw the attention of prospective employers during the application process. Although it’s almost certainly something you’ll need to address during the interview, drawing the reader’s focus towards the gap by including an explanation on the resume will only invite more scrutiny.
In most instances, it’s better to leverage your professional achievements, industry expertise, and relevant skill sets to demonstrate why you’re qualified for the position rather than draw more attention to something negative. If the hiring manager thinks you’re a strong candidate, you’ll have the opportunity to explain the break in your timeline later during the interview.
Remember to update your LinkedIn profile
After building your resume, you’ll want to create a LinkedIn profile to apply for positions and explore additional networking opportunities by joining online groups. You’ll also be able to include content that you wouldn’t typically feature on the resume.
One aspect that makes the LinkedIn profile distinct is the About Section. Here, you’ll be able to create a more extended professional summary that draws attention to your core professional values and industry expertise. If a hiring manager is interested in bringing you in for an interview, they’ll likely search for you on the platform to evaluate your profile, so you’ll want to ensure that your profile is compelling and adds value to your job search.
Interview Preparation for People in Recovery
It’s natural to be nervous prior to an interview, especially if you’ve taken a significant leave of absence from the workforce while seeking treatment. Many people in recovery feel anxiety about employers asking about employment gaps or negative biases stemming from their substance abuse disorders.
Preparing responses to sample interview questions or conducting mock interviews with a career coach can help you feel more confident when conversing with prospective employers. You’ll also want to dress professionally for in-person and virtual interviews, as you want to make a positive impression on the hiring manager during your first meeting.
How to explain gaps in the resume during the interview
Substance abuse issues and rehab can result in significant employment gaps. If the gap is substantial enough, it’ll draw the hiring manager’s attention, and you’ll likely be asked about it during the interview. Although you won’t necessarily need to disclose that you were receiving treatment for substance abuse issues, you will need to explain why you were unemployed.
You could tell the hiring manager that you had to step away from your previous job while dealing with a personal issue or medical condition that has since been resolved. If you were let go by your last employer, you don’t need to reveal this information directly. Instead, you could explain that your skill sets didn’t match the organization’s needs or that the previous position didn’t align with your long-term career goals.
What Are You Legally Required to Disclose to Employers?
Job seekers with a history of substance abuse are protected under the Americans with Disabilities Act. In most cases, you won’t need to tell the hiring manager that you received addiction treatment. The only situation where you’ll need to confront this issue head-on is if something in your legal history may come up on a background check. In this situation, getting ahead of it and having an honest conversation with prospective employers is better.
Many companies will have empathy and even admiration for taking steps to seek help and improve your life. By telling your side of the story, you have more control over the narrative, whereas if a prior legal charge comes up in the background check, the employer may feel that you were hiding information. Although it’s rarely ideal to discuss a personal medical issue with the hiring manager, it’s better to have an open dialogue with employers if the background check will reveal the information.
If you need to disclose your struggles with addiction to employers due to a legal issue, you can still frame your recovery journey in a positive way. For instance, you could explain to the hiring manager that overcoming these challenges would make you a valuable member of their team. If you choose to tell your story, be sure not to overshare, as you always want to keep the focus of the interview on your qualifications for the job.
Maintain Your Support Network During Recovery
Overcoming substance abuse and addiction is a lifelong journey. No matter how many years of sobriety a person has, there’s always a risk of a relapse. During the early phases of recovery, your chances of falling back into addiction are often much higher. Jay Westbrook, an award-winning clinician, notes, “Researchers are accumulating evidence to support a theory that substance abuse is caused by, more than anything else, either a lost sense of connection or never having been able to find a sense of connection.”
One way to find a sense of connection is to listen to and observe the shared experiences of other people in recovery by continuing to attend meetings in a 12-step program such as AA or NA. You could also find support in your family, friends, and loved ones. Finding your passion for a new job, hobby, or healthy activity is another avenue for building and maintaining a positive sense of connection in your life. Whether you choose to attend meetings with an organization or rely on your close relationships, having a strong support network is essential to moving forward in recovery.
Resources for Recovering Job Seekers
Thousands of non-profit organizations across the country offer valuable resources to job seekers in recovery. These organizations can help you find job fairs, update your resume, or get career advice to move forward during your job search. Recovery presents a number of unique challenges to the job search process and leveraging these available resources can help you gain an advantage. Below, you’ll find a list of ten national organizations offering career services to people in recovery:
Career One Stop
Sponsored by the United States Department of Labor, Career One Stop is a national organization with a variety of valuable resources for job seekers in recovery. This organization features an online portal where you can take self-assessment surveys on your current skill sets to aid you in identifying the right career path. Career One Stop also provides resources in finding job fairs, career coaching services, resume writing help, and job training programs.
Recovery Career Services
This non-profit organization was founded by Ty Reed, who overcame substance abuse issues to become a prominent career coach and thought leader. Recovery Career Services offers valuable resources to job seekers in recovery, including coaching and professional development programs. The site also features articles and a YouTube series providing insights into the challenges of reentering the workforce after treatment and advice on overcoming them.
Rehab Centers, State Programs, and Unemployment Offices
Many rehab centers offer career services to people in recovery to aid them in obtaining employment after completing a rehabilitation program. Another option is to explore non-profit organizations within your state or connect with a state department to get additional resources to aid you during the job search. For instance, Massachusetts offers a state-funded program, Access to Recovery (ATR), which provides MA residents with six-month treatment and employment services.
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